Alma, called Alma¹ the Elder to distinguish him from his son Alma², was a descendant of Nephi and one of the priests of King Noah. When the prophet Abinadi was condemned to death, Alma¹, who believed Abinadi’s words, pleaded with the king to spare him; the king instead cast Alma¹ out and sent servants to kill him. He fled, hid for many days, and wrote down all that Abinadi had spoken (Mosiah 17:2-4). Abinadi was put to death by fire (Mosiah 17:20).
In hiding, Alma¹ repented and began teaching the words of Abinadi privately among the people (Mosiah 18:1). He gathered believers at the Waters of Mormon, where he baptized them and established the church, binding them by covenant to bear one another’s burdens, mourn with those who mourn, and stand as witnesses of God (Mosiah 18:4-5; Mosiah 18:8-10). Acting “having authority from God,” he ordained priests — one for every fifty members — to preach and teach the things of God’s kingdom (Mosiah 18:18). Warned that Noah’s army was coming, Alma¹ and about 450 followers fled eight days into the wilderness and founded the land of Helam (Mosiah 18:34-35, 23:1-5). There a Lamanite army discovered them, and the Lamanite king set Amulon, a fellow former priest of Noah, as ruler over Alma¹’s people, who were placed in bondage (Mosiah 23:25, 23:37-39). The Lord eased their burdens, put their guards into a deep sleep, and Alma¹ led the people out; after twelve days they reached Zarahemla, where King Mosiah received them (Mosiah 24:14-25).
At Zarahemla, Mosiah granted Alma¹ authority to establish churches throughout the land and to ordain priests and teachers; he organized seven churches and presided over them as high priest (Mosiah 25:19-24). When members were taken in transgression, Alma¹ sought the Lord’s direction and was instructed that those who repented and confessed should be numbered with the church and those who would not should have their names blotted out (Mosiah 26:30-36). His son Alma² was numbered among the unbelievers and worked to destroy the church until an angel, sent in answer to his father’s prayers, stopped him (Mosiah 27:8-14). Alma¹ died at Zarahemla at the age of 82 (Mosiah 29:45).